Blog

Youth Audit Shirley Library

For the full report, click on this link below:
ReVision Youth Friendly Spaces Audit Report | Shirley Library (2021)

1. Executive Summary (Page 3)
This report is based on data gathered on the 7th of July 2021 and 10th July 2021 at Shirley Library. Using the Youth Relevant Design Check Card and Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, young people audited the Shirley Library on its safety, appeal, accessibility, resourcing, and youth-friendliness.

The Shirley Library performed below average, in the Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, scoring a total of 64.5% and producing a Net Promoter Score of -50.

The youth auditors really liked how the space was calm and somewhere they could come and relax in. The young people also liked how friendly the staff were.
The areas young people thought could be improved and gave feedback on was the vibrancy and appeal of the space, the youth corner itself, how they felt generally in the space, and the resourcing.

The youth space was a key area the young people identified as needing change. Specifically, they wanted to see this space moved to a different area of the library. They felt like the youth space was an afterthought lacking youth input. Some other suggestions were implementing comfier chairs and beanbags.
They wanted to see more artwork, colour, culture and vibrancy around the library.
Young people wanted to feel included in decision making on clubs and activities for them and suggested providing different avenues for them to continue to do this. With this, they also wished to see a greater circulation of young adult books and the Shirley Library to be better resourced with activities and clubs for them.

4.2.3 What would you change about this space that is easy to do? (Page 11)
Almost all of the youth auditors thought that the Shirley Library, which they feel is currently a blank canvas, would be more youth-friendly if there was more artwork on the walls and around the place.
One auditor even suggested artwork on the outside of the building, which you would be able to see as you approach the Shirley Library.
They felt that this would be an easy change to make and suggested engaging with local youth to collaborate with famous artists to create new pieces for the Library.
Another young person acknowledged that relaxing music could make the environment more ambient.
Some other simple changes suggested were, free water, more charging ports, an Xbox in the youth space and a little garden.

4.2.4 What would you change about this space if you could change anything? (Page 11)
A common theme was that young people would really love to see some more activities for youth.
Young people don’t want to have a space that is at the back corner of the library.
A young person suggested that they would change the layout to be more obvious where the youth space was and would make it larger.
Another auditor really wanted to have a space that was at the heart of the library and was slightly removed at the same time.
Young people were also perplexed as to why the PlayStation was right next to the children’s books and felt that the PlayStation along with the accompanying bean bags should be moved into the young adult area.
Another common recommendation that young people felt would make the place livelier would be to add more plants and greenery.
Not only would this create a ‘better vibe’ as one auditor said, but the young people felt that it would make the Shirley Library feel even more homely.

4.3.1 Safety (Page 12)
When asked whether the Shirley Library felt like a safe place, one young person said, “it can be a safe place if you need to get away from stuff and read a book.”
Young people generally felt safe arriving at the Shirley Library as many were familiar with the route to get there; it was only when they had to leave when it was dark that they felt unsafe.
One young person expressed that they felt safe as a whole because they had a car and a license and had done army training so didn’t really have a problem with safety.
However, everyone else who left either by public transport or foot/bike expressed feeling unsafe.
A couple of young people highlighted how dark the mall and library car park were and this increased how unsafe they felt leaving the Library.
On a positive note though, the young people highlighted that the librarians were always very friendly and that they felt comfortable to approach them if they ever felt unsafe and/or needed to express concern.

4.3.2 Appeal (Page 12)
During the focus groups, the young people expressed that they liked coming to the library as it was close to places that they were familiar with and usually went to such as the Palms Mall, school and home.
Another thing that the young people expressed was that it was a great place to come and experience some peace and downtime.
One young person said that they liked to come to the Shirley Library as they didn’t have many friends to hang out with on the weekend and it was close to their house.
Although some young people expressed positive things about the appeal of the Library, some auditors felt that the youth area was uninviting and made them feel closed off from others in the Library.

4.3.3 Accessibility (Page 13)
The young people expressed that getting to and from the library by public transport was relatively easy.
However, they felt that the Library could be better sign posted.
For those that biked, the consensus was that there weren’t enough bike stands (only one) and the bike stands that were present were not modern bike stands that ensure your bike is safer.
The young people felt that there could be more toilets available for users in the library and also some gender neutral options that weren’t the disabled toilets.
They would recommend providing more toilets and more inclusive options like at Tūranga Library.

4.3.4 Well-Resourced (Page 14)
Young people expressed that they felt that there was good information about other services, however, felt that information about the ‘youth clubs’ could be better advertised and more easily accessible.
The young people said that the staff were friendly, nice and that they are “not scary and won’t bite.”
Young people liked that there were computers available and that there was a PlayStation that anyone could use.
Some of the young people suggested that there could be more activities for young people, such as, colouring, crafts, sing star, board games, and more events.
A simple suggestion was to make a registration form, so if you wanted to create a club or join one you could register to be involved.
The suggestion of more chairs and comfy places to sit such as more bean bags etc. was also raised again within this discussion around resourcing.
This highlights a strong consensus that the Shirley Library should have more places for both young people and all library users to sit.
In terms of books, young people were in agreement that there needed to be more new books circulating in from other libraries and more books for them as young adults.

4.3.5 Youth-Friendly (Page 14 & 15)
Young people found that the Shirley Library did not feel youth friendly or youthful.
One young person said that “it feels like an adult space and the youth space feels like an afterthought.”
Whereas another young person explained that after school it sometimes felt youthful with all the students from schools however it didn’t on the weekend as there were far fewer young people.
When asked if the space reflected their culture many of the young people said that it doesn’t feel multicultural and that they would love to see more Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori around the space.

5. Recommendations (Page 16 & 17)
5.1 Rethink the location of the current youth space
The average net promoter score is low and suggested that young people would not recommend the space to others.
5.2 Increase resourcing (clubs, books, activities)
We would recommend that the library considers increasing the resources that they currently offer.
The rangatahi would like to see an increase in the circulation of young adult books.
The recommendation, therefore, is that the Shirley Library increase the number of Young Adults books available or provide clearer information on how to request books.
Rangatahi also wanted to see a more diverse range of clubs available and to be included in the running of these clubs.
It is also recommended that there are opportunities for young people to easily make new suggestions of clubs they would like to see offered or run themselves.
5.3 Make the space more vibrant
Young people want to feel connected and valued in the Shirley Library.
They currently feel that the library is lacking colour and vibrancy.
Plants and greenery would also brighten up the space and make it more homely and comfortable which is an easy implementation.
5.4 Include young people in processes and decisions
A key thing that was raised was young people felt like they didn’t know how to have their say on the youth space, activities and the library in general.
5.5 Increase safety
We recommend considering how to provide better lighting options in the carpark and surrounding areas of the library so that young people and users feel safe leaving and entering the library.
Another recommendation would be providing new bike stands and better signage on the carpark and road facing fronts of the Library.

Youth Audit 10 Shirley Road

For the full report, click on this link below:
ReVision Youth Friendly Spaces Audit Report | 10 Shirley Road (2021)

1. Executive Summary (Page 3)
On November 3 and November 28 2021, 10 Shirley Road was audited by young people on its youth-friendliness.
Using the Youth Relevant Design Check Card and Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, young people audited 10 Shirley Road on its safety, appeal, accessibility, resourcing, and youth-friendliness.
10 Shirley Road performed averagely in the Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, scoring a total of 42% and received a poor Net Promoter Score of -37.5.

The youth auditors really liked how the space is well connected within Shirley.
10 Shirley Road is right in the middle of other spaces local young people would access and is surrounded by bus stops connected to the central network.
The space has a variety of facilities for young people to use, such as the playground, skate ramp, basketball court, and a quiet space by the stream at the other end of the park.
They enjoy using the space as it is easily accessible and its activities give them something to do, while making them feel like they belong.

The areas young people thought could be improved on were the lack of basic amenities in the space and the underutilisation of the space.
The space would benefit from having a toilet, water fountain, and lighting as these facilities would make it more practical and safe for youth.
Down the track, young people would like to see a youth hub that can be used for shelter from the weather, relaxation, and event activations developed to unlock the potential the space has to offer.

4.3.1 What do you like about this space? (Page 9)
The most common aspect of the space the youth auditors liked was the vast space of the park and the different activities already available such as the playground, basketball courts and seating by the river.
The auditors were impressed by this variety as it appealed to youth of different interests. Those who want to be active and socialise with friends can use the basketball courts to play games or hang out at the playground and use the swings.
Young people that want some peace and relaxation can sit at the other end of the park by the river and absorb nature.

4.3.2 Do you think this space is designed to be used by young people? (Page 9)
All of the youth auditors felt that the space is designed to be used by young people.
The inclusion of the playground and the basketball courts was also noted as supporting this conclusion.
These activities attract youth to the space and give them something to do in their neighbourhood.
One youth auditor mentioned that Shirley Primary, located across the road, uses the space sometimes, which makes it easier for kids to feel welcome to use the space.
Overall, it is a nice and safe park, with one auditor even commenting that it was enjoyable for all people, young or old, to use.

4.3.3 What would you change about this space that is easy to do? (Page 9)
The youth auditors mentioned that the space could be improved by adding new bins to help with keeping the area clean and offering more seating and spaces to relax.
During the night, there is an insufficient amount of lighting in the area, so more working lights around the space are needed to improve the usability and safety of the space.
Another idea the auditors raised was to add an information board which includes youth-focused information and advertising.
It should also include contacts to youth services and providers, in both Shirley and neighbouring areas.
This will help young people feel comfortable with accessing support and could possibly introduce them to new groups and clubs.

4.3.4 What would you change about this space if you could change anything? (Page 10)
In the long run, young people would like to see a youth centre or a place where young people can sit down and relax in a sheltered space which protects them from the elements.

4.4.1 Safety (Page 10)
During the day, they mentioned that the space feels safe due to its location on the main road and open areas.
However, when dark, the auditors noted that they did not feel the same level of safety. One female youth auditor said that she did not feel safe in the space at night or when near the river.
All of the youth auditors agreed that installing working lights would improve the safety of the space.
Another auditor mentioned that they would feel safe if more people were around.
This could be achieved by adding more seating to attract more users and introducing more activities.
When asked if they felt ‘in the way’ when at the space, the auditors said that they did not and that they instead felt welcome by its other users; they felt that they were part of the community.
With other key landmarks in the area like shops, MacFarlane Park, and The Palms Shopping Mall, the young people felt very connected to the area and indicated they would keep using this space.

4.4.2 Appeal (Page 10 & 11)
During the focus group, the youth auditors agreed that the space is appealing to young people overall.
The auditors mentioned that they like going to the park because it is easy to access and has fun things to do.
One auditor mentioned that the river at the other end of the space gives a sense of nature and peace.
The location of the space makes it easily visible and it is located near other places young people frequent.
The auditors would like to see the visual appearance of the space improved and the quantity of activities run increased.
To achieve this, the auditors suggested that bins, lighting, and an information board could be introduced.
They also suggested that the space could be made more colourful and thus appealing by expanding the gardens and including more flowers.
Another idea raised by the auditors to improve the appeal of the space was to refurbish the basketball courts and playground.
This could be achieved by repainting the court, net, and playground.
In terms of new activities, the auditors noted that the table tennis table is not fit for purpose as it is usually too windy to use.
Instead, the auditors suggested that a big chess set could be developed, which would be something young people would welcome to the space.

4.4.3 Accessibility (Page 11)
Any space needs to be accessible, which includes disability access, physical movement to and around the space, and the affordability of engaging with the space.
Young people commented that the space is easily accessible.
Due to its location on a main road, the space is easy for not just Shirley residents to access, but everyone in the city.
A traffic light installed right outside the main entrance makes it easier for young people to cross the road, while the bus stops located directly outside the space connect it to the city’s public transport network that many young people rely on.
People can also drive to the space, as well as safely walk and bike, although the bike stands need to be updated.
The space is connected to other spaces that young people in the area would go to.
While the space is accessible from a transport perspective, many of the auditors pointed out that the space has poor disability access.
They noted that the footpath is the only wheelchair accessible part of the space and that ramps and wheelchair-friendly activities should be introduced to the space.

4.4.4 Well-Resourced (Page 11)
The youth auditors noted that while the space appeals to all age groups, it needs basic facilities like toilets, lighting, water fountains, and seating to be introduced to be well-resourced.
The auditors explained that more bins need to be installed as the current ones are often full, which causes rubbish to be left on the ground surrounding the bins.
One auditor suggested that a community group could be formed to do a clean up once a month, which would increase connection, ownership and pride of place in the local area.
With council already planning to build a new structure in the space, the youth auditors agreed that they would like this to be a building that would be a place to both run activities and relax.

4.4.5 Youth-Friendly (Page 12)
The youth auditors agreed that the space is youth friendly due to its simplicity and it having a “Shirley vibe”.
They noted that Shirley generally has a natural, relaxed and community atmosphere, which they would like to see preserved in the park if anything new is to be installed or introduced.
One auditor did mention that the space “screams out ‘toddler’ more than youth” and that the neighbouring MacFarlane Park “screams out youth more than here [10 Shirley Rd]”.
They explained that this is because MacFarlane Park has the Park Centre, which offers free WiFi, a full size basketball court, a playground better suited to a wider age range, and more field space to use.

5. Recommendations (Pages 13-15)
5.1 Install Basic Amenities
The nearest public bathrooms and water fountains are located in MacFarlane Park, which is very inconvenient for people using this space.
5.2 Add Lighting to the Space
For the space to be fully functional, the space must also be safe.
The space needs lighting to improve its overall safety and to be accessible during the night. This will also increase the appeal of the space.
5.3 Improve Existing Features
The features of the space are well-used by local young people, but are in need of an upgrade.
The youth auditors would like to see existing features such as the playground and half court be given functional and cosmetic improvements.
Replacing old bike stands, Adding more seating, Expanding the garden, Installing a youth-focused bulletin board.
5.4 Introduce New Features
On top of improving the existing features of the space, young people would like to see further facilities and features developed at the space.
The wide open areas give the space plenty of potential, which, if properly utilised, would benefit all park users.
5.5 Build a Youth Hub in the Future
In a future council long term plan, the young people would ideally like to see a space for them to relax and hold activities.
This will lead to more young people using the space and make them feel more welcome in the community.
Have a dedicated seating area, Have shelter from the weather, Offer free WiFi, Include access to support services.

Placemaking

“What if We Built Our Communities Around Places? Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community. Strengthening the connection between people and the places they share, placemaking refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in order to maximize shared value. More than just promoting better urban design, placemaking facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place and support its ongoing evolution.”
https://www.pps.org/category/placemaking

“What Makes a Successful Place? Great public spaces are those places where celebrations are held, social and economic exchanges occur, friends run into each other, and cultures mix. They are the ‘front porches’ of our public institutions – libraries, schools – where we interact with each other and government. When these spaces work well, they serve as the stage for our public lives…they generally share the following four qualities: they are accessible; people are engaged in activities there; the space is comfortable and has a good image; and finally, it is a sociable place: one where people meet each other and take people when they come to visit.”
https://www.pps.org/article/grplacefeat

“The Power of 10+ shows how paying attention to the human experience when building a city’s destinations and districts can have immediate and widespread impacts. The idea behind this concept is that places thrive when users have a range of reasons (10+) to be there. These might include a place to sit, playgrounds to enjoy, art to touch, music to hear, food to eat, history to experience, and people to meet. Ideally, some of these activities will be unique to that particular place, reflecting the culture and history of the surrounding community.”
https://www.pps.org/article/the-power-of-10

“Project for Public Spaces, the premier placemaking organization, calls this the Power of 10. They assert that every place should accommodate at least ten different kinds of activities. Not only will this make the place more inviting to a wide range of users, but it will make it more likely that the place will be used more extensively, at all times of the day and during all seasons of the year making it safer for everyone.”
https://www.theemptysquare.org/stories/bumping-places

“Placemaking: Building on the ‘Soul’ of a Place: Every place already has a story to tell—placemaking just brings that story forward…We start with the belief that every place already has a history and a story to tell—that places already have soul. Our role as designers is to honor that story, bring it forward and integrate it into every level of design and detail, from the shaping of space to programming, lighting, materiality, and signage. The best measure of good placemaking is after having visited a place, you find yourself compelled to tell others about it. It becomes a place you’re excited to return time and again…Incorporate environmental graphic elements. Not just for wayfinding, environmental graphics are critical to placemaking. They serve as art, backdrop, furniture, and landmark. They improve upon the functional experience of the place, such as signage showing how to move through the park, or the educational interpretive messaging woven throughout.”
https://www.planetizen.com/features/119054-placemaking-building-soul-place

Shirley Centre: Identity | Well-being | Learning
“You Are Here”: a place to be, in our communities.
Community Education & Support Services in Learning Libraries
1. ‘Suburban’ Library
2. Christchurch City Council Service Centre
3. Learning Spaces
4. Meeting Rooms
5. NZ/Genealogy Area
6. Internal Courtyard
7. Indoor/Outdoor Seating Options
8. Natives Garden (Dudley Creek)
9. Wellbeing Sensory Garden
10. Events/Market Space (Carpark)
11. Inclusive Accessible Playground
12. Basketball Court/Youth Area
13. Shirley Playcentre
14. StoryWalk
15. Dudley Creek Trail

Bumping Spaces

“Bumping Spaces are places in the community where we naturally bump into each other, they are our communal spaces, gathering places. A trusted environment where we spend time together, share space together, be in relationships together and walk beside each other…Bumping Spaces are places where we can make friends, share our thoughts and feelings together and be empowered to find the answers and solutions to solve our own problems within our communities acknowledging everyone’s gifts and that everyone is an asset within their community…At Bumping Spaces we are both the helper and the helped, we share our new skills and abilities together, our cultures, our histories looking for what’s strong, not focusing on what’s wrong through the power of peer support, celebrating difference and embracing change.”
https://www.nurturedevelopment.org/blog/what-is-a-bumping-space/

“Community is built on relationships and people develop relationships through frequent contact with others. So, if you want to build community, you need places to bump into other people. The closer those places are to where you live, the more likely you are to bump into the same people over and over again…
If you want to develop an inclusive community, you need to have inclusive bumping spaces. While neighbors typically have all kinds of differences in terms of age, income, culture, religion, politics, interests, etc. they tend to gather with people who are like themselves. To be inclusive, a place should be accessible to those with differing abilities and incomes.
A key reason why places aren’t sufficiently inclusive is because so many are single purpose. They only attract gardeners, basketball players, seniors or whomever the space was specifically designed for…
An inclusive place will be multi-purpose.”
https://www.theemptysquare.org/stories/bumping-places

“…the way we plan and design our built environment needs to encourage different kinds of interaction – we need bumping spaces like benches where we might see neighbours or acquaintances – so called ‘weak ties’. Alongside this, we also need places for the creation of ‘strong ties’ where we develop and maintain real friendships, for example at community groups and activities.
A ‘less lonely’ neighbourhood needs to have the right collection of buildings and friendly shared places which are liked by residents and are, therefore, comfortable to use and will foster encounters with others’.”
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/press-release/tackling-loneliness-through-the-built-environment/

“Built environment and places for widening connections: Neighbourhood research can also be used to distinguish places where residents go to encounter or interact with people from the same community, same age group or who are in other ways like themselves (sometimes described as acquiring ‘bonding social capital’).
And places where people from different groups can encounter one another (described as creating ‘bridging social capital’).
In one example, people tended to use informal infrastructure such as shops and cafes to meet people they already knew.
Formal infrastructure such as libraries, sports and exercise facilities, and community spaces were often places for encountering people from different backgrounds.
Mixed housing can also foster such ‘bridging’ as, for example, in housing association sites which include housing to meet the needs of people at different life stages.
And interventions, for example a community gardening project, can improve connections between different backgrounds and generations.
These shared places then offer the possibility of enabling a wider set of connections between local people including members of marginalised communities who may otherwise have little opportunity to meet a diverse group of people who live nearby.
On the other hand, there is also evidence that individuals may be reluctant to attend places heavily identified with a group of which they are not a part.
Whether thinking about ‘formal’ or ‘informal’ public places or shared spaces around housing, consideration needs to be given to whether they foster enough contact to address loneliness. Researchers have distinguished between places which support weak versus strong ties.
For example, there is the possibility of repeated low-key verbal or non-verbal encounters with staff or other local residents in locations such as shops and libraries and also in places we pass through on a regular basis including parks and greenspaces or walking routes around the area.”
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/wp-content/uploads/CEL-Tackling-loneliness-through-the-built-environment-Final.pdf

Third Place

“In sociology, the third place refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home (“first place”) and the workplace (“second place”). In his book The Great Good Place (1989), Ray Oldenburg argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement, and establishing feelings of a sense of place.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place

“Unlike a home or a workplace, a third place is a place where people are not required to be anything other than who they are. There is no pressure to be efficient, serious, productive, or successful. Rather, people can engage in activities that may be “just for fun”. In his article “The Third Place Thesis,” [Ray] Oldenburg suggests that third places are essential to the mental and social health of individuals, particularly those in urban settings.”
https://skipwalter.net/2022/12/04/the-great-third-place-versus-third-space-theory/

[Ray] Oldenburg (1989) outlines some of the specific characteristics of third places:
1) They are on neutral ground. All are welcome, and no one plays “host”;
2) They are a leveler; people of different socio-economic strata attend;
3) Conversation is the main activity. Even though the setting may be a place for drinking, or exercising, or playing a game, talking is always present;
4) They are accessible; there are no physical, policy, or monetary barriers to entrance;
5) They are a home away from home. There are “regulars” who find the atmosphere comfortable enough to “root” them there;
6) The mood is playful, laughter is often heard, and wit is prized.
Oldenburg believes that these are the essential characteristics of third places because they engender the unique communication experiences and sociological benefits associated with these places.
The benefits serve not only community residents but also the community at large.
For an individual, the third place offers stress relief from the everyday demands of both home and work.
It provides the feeling of inclusiveness and belonging associated with participating in a group’s social activities, without the rigidity of policy or exclusiveness of club or organization membership.
For the greater community, the third place strengthens community ties through social interaction. It can foster commitment to local politics via informed public discourse.
It also provides a feeling of safety and security by being publicly accessible and promoting open and visible interaction (Soukup 2006).
As Oldenburg himself states, ‘Third places are nothing more than informal public gathering places.'”
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=clcom_facpub

“Third places have a number of important community-building attributes.
Depending on their location, social classes and backgrounds can be ‘leveled-out’ in ways that are unfortunately rare these days, with people feeling they are treated as social equals. Informal conversation is the main activity and most important linking function.
One commentator refers to third places as the “living room” of society.
Many city planning efforts to reinvigorate metropolitan neighborhoods now include specific steps to create third places, especially public spaces, to try and break down social siloes.
Strengthening social networks is a crucial step to reviving neighborhoods and addressing social problems. Third places can do much to help stabilize communities and reduce social problems.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2016/09/14/third-places-as-community-builders/

“‘A community life can exist when one can go daily to a given location at a given time and see many of the people one knows,’ writes another American sociologist, Philip Slater, author of a book on loneliness: [The Pursuit of Loneliness]
When a city has lovely spaces for people for people to stroll in, or loiter, or meet friends – and importantly for our senior citizens, when these places are close to home – then the requirement for one’s house to be large and nice enough for entertaining is lessened. And when you have places to meet your neighbours by chance, you can get to know them without the pressure of inviting them over.
[Ray] Oldenburg describes third places as neutral ground: no one has to play host and everyone is at ease. “If there is no neutral ground in the neighbourhoods where people live, association outside the home will be impoverished. Many, perhaps most, neighbours will never meet, to say nothing of associate, for there is no place for them to do so.”
Why is all of this important? Because a third of us said we were lonely in the 2014 census, and one in five of us will seek treatment this year for depression or anxiety. And because our cities aren’t bolstering one of the most significant aspects of mental health: a sense of community.
Yet we blame this lack of community upon ourselves – we haven’t tried hard enough to build it – when the problem is in fact the lack of a venue for this to take place.”
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/02-07-2018/every-new-zealander-needs-a-third-place